Bacardi in Terra

Meet my next project everyone! Sorry I couldn't find a larger picture, but it's Bacardi, a fair isle sweater from No Sheep for You. As if the pattern itslef isn't interesting enough, I'm using a brand new yarn (not even in stores yet!) from South West Trading Company, Terra. It's a dk 50/50 cotton, bamboo blend. I can't wait to get the yarn! First I have to pick out colors though, I need to choose six. I'm always tempted to pick 6 different colors for fair isle, but I do think fair isle looks better when it's more tonal with just an accent or two. Here are the colors that I was considering:

The sixth is a chocolate brown that I couldn't find a photo of for some reason. I think the colors above might be too safe. What do you think? Here are the other colors that I was considering

I might do the light blue instead of the brown or one of the lighter greens. Regardless of what colors I choose I can't wait to start my first fair isle sweater!

Knitting for Penguins!

My sister was in class and in one of her class her professor talked about penguins and oil spills. I'm sure you all know about the terrible effects of oil spills on birds. Basically the oil covers their feathers and the oil destroys their natural oils which makes them very cold. Also, the penguins will try and clean themselves and end up ingesting the oil and poisoning them. What is the solution? Penguin Sweaters! Which also happen to be insanely cute. They keep the wee penguins warm, in style, and inhibit them from preening.

Vick's Jury

I couldn't help myself...

Birthday Wishes

I googled "being lost" to find some pics and this is one thing that came up....I just couldn't resist using it.
As a rep, I go lots of places that I've never been to before. This caused me to get lost ALL THE TIME! I have made more u-turns in the past week than most people make in a year. Originally, when I first mentioned to my family that I should maybe get a GPS system she said, "People have gotten so crazy with technology, there's no need for something like that if you just use mapquest in advance." And at first, I agreed. That is until, you make a wrong turn and then those directions don't help you out much... you just stay lost. For a while, I would jokingly call my mom my GPS system, because I would call home and get her to hop on mapquest for me so that I could get back on track. She thought this was funny and a great plan, that is until my fiftieth call. It just wasn't working.

Luckily, my family wised up and I got GPS for my birthday... horray! I absolutely love it, I selected the male Australian voice and I call him Outback Jack. So far Outback Jack hasn't steered me wrong, but we'll see its still early in the relationship. He's a tad bossy though, watch it Jack.

I also, got more flowy pants (if you know me, you know how often I wear flowy pants), an awesome fair trade necklace, a pair of reefs, a vegetarian cookbook, and a cute little purse. Life is good!

Eek , moving out

Most of you know that I am moving out of my apartment. I was planning on staying in the burg, but after repping for a bit now I've realized how much easier it is to travel up north... so many shops in such a small area! Thus I am doing the unthinkable and moving back in with my parents. It'll be fun though, because my sister is also living at home to finish up her degree. The family is reunited.

I remember vividly the night before leaving for my freshman year of college and thinking, "This is it, the last night of what I've known for 18 years." And here I am back again, never say never. When we were planning the move my dad was adamant the I claim the guest bedroom as my office. I said, "No, no I need a craft room... to house yarn etc." Then I realized why are we arguing? They are the same thing to me and that was a cool realization. How many people get to claim that they need a room soley for yarn and crafts that is therefore the office, because they are lucky enough to have such a fun job.

In other news, I've jumped back on the dating train... part of the reason for my lack of blogging...

Qiviut my Heart

Most of you know the amount of UFO's in my possession. With the new job and companies saying to me, "Want to knit a sample, anything you want you can have", the amount of UFO's has increased exponentially. That being said, I was in Stitches with Style in Newark, De today and they had 3 delicious skeins of qiviut.

The store recently changed hands and I was walking around trying to get a feel of the shop now that the inventory has changed. It's definitely my kind of shop, loads of natural fibers! She has lots of smaller companies that I've never heard of, which I love to see. In a little basket were 3 skeins of qiviut in cute little bags that were tied with yellow ribbons. There was also a small knitted swatch that had obviously been handled a great deal, because that's when the qiviut gets really yummy. Each skein had nearly 400 yds and was only $80. That's half price! I carefully reached out and touched the knitted swatch. I was so excited at the price and the feel of that swatch that I got a bit teary eyed. Then I envisioned a luxurious shawl knitted from 2 skeins.

I kept touching and walking by it and staring. Linda, the fabulous new owner, said she would hold a skein for me. I was trying to be good though and said that I may call back later.

On my way back to my parents house I was trying to scheme of a way to rationalize paying $160 right now to buy yarn. I couldn't...tear...then the solution. It was so simple, ask my mom to buy it for me! I know what I'm getting for Christmas this year!

Reppin' it up

Now that I'm a yarn rep, I basically live on the road. Here are a few tips/ tricks and what I've learned:

1. If you see a Krispy Creme store, close your eyes. Even if you're driving still follow this guideline, it's better than the alternative.




2. It's perfectly legal to pass over a double yellow when over-sized trucks are taking up both lanes.




3. Annie Chun's meals are the best! I'm completely serious here...biodegradable bowl, no refrigeration, microwaveable, low sodium, no preservatives, and pure deliciousness. Perfection!




4. Super 8 is great. The rooms have a microwave, refrigerator, free wifi, HBO, and a continental breakfast: usually muffins, cereal, coffee, and juice (umm, I mean, Tang). Best of all it's cheap!




5. Don't knit and drive, you'll ruin your gauge.




6. Let Sims be your family. I know it's sad, but let's face it I am pretty isolated now. Sims is my stand-in family and friends. (Sadly, I'm semi-serious) Although the wonderful people I've met on my travels have kept me sane so far (a few of you are seriously threatening my sanity however and you don't want an insane person driving on the same interstate as you, so take it easy on my me would ya)




7. Audio books are the most essential item for long trips. Ahh, the many frivolous romance novels I have had the pleasure of listening too...so many fun-filled hours and delicious men(wink). I usually think of Bear...ahhh...Bear.




8. Stop fretting about what projects to bring with you. It's a fact that you will want a different project with you, no matter what. And for goodness sakes you are bringing a massive trunk filled with yarn anyway!




9. Stay in the right lane!!! Honestly, I can not emphasize this enough. Please please please stay in the right lane unless you're passing. If you're going to sit in the left lane and travel at the exact same pace as the car in the right lane....don't pass! It's illegal people, spread the word.




10. Always remember that you are in sales and it's key that you have a voice to sell yarn. Therefore screaming at cars who are not following rule 9, is counterproductive. Also, following rule 7 to avoid singing at the top of your lungs to Broadway or rock music will likewise prevent loss of your most powerful weapon.



11. And lastly, don't travel by donkey. You carry too much crap around for that.

Neighbors in Humanity

That's right Gina I just couldn't help it! I had to relive that Halmark card moment somehow. Let me explain to everyone who was not lucky enough to be at the Vogue Knitting Party at TNNA (ya, I couldn't resist rubbing that in either), exactly what I'm talking about. Gina, Mimi, Debbie, Belinda, and I were all at the party and the topic of the squares for the VT afghans kept coming up. We were talking with the cool chicks of Modern Yarn about how even if you weren't there and had no direct connection with what happened, people were still affected by it. It was at this moment that Gina interjected with the beauty pageant queen comment of "Well, we're all neighbors in humanity". I'm lucky that I didn't have a mouthful of a cocktail or I may have sprayed it all over Debbie Bliss. The only way it could have been better is if she had made a grand arm gesture with a slight head nod. It was the funniest moment at TNNA, seriously, I'm laughing now writing about it.

Here's a pic of my Farmhouse cottonblossom sweater that everyone has been wanting to see. I LOVE it! Note the new hair cut. I cut about 11 inches off and I got it highlighted for the first time ever.



And here's a tam that I made yesterday with Farmhouse Fat Sheep (great name for a yarn). The pattern is from Knitting Nature. Norah Gaughan is a knitting rock star.

I just couldn't help myself and I had to arrange the baby skeins of Farmhouse Bopeep yarn into a yarnbow. Yarnbow was a typo and I was about to delete it, but I like it!

I arrange all yarn into rainbows, I love how it looks. I guess other people like it too, because I sold quite a bit of it today.

While I was arranging and posing for the above pics, I saw my dad holding our cat Pete and realized he looked like Dr. Evil from Austin Powers. I begged him to pose with the pinky at his mouth claiming it would get me more comments. I know, shameless, but it just may work....ha ha ha (Dr.Evil laugh)

Someone help me!

I'm at TNNA with the wild and crazy Mosaic crew. We miss you Sandy! Thanks for holding done the fort. It's knitters gone wild here at the Hyatt. If I hear Shoes one more time, I'm going to pierce my leg with a knitting needle. I swear I'll do it, I really will.
Last night we had delicious food at a steak house. I had some of the best Pinot. It was a 2005 Macmurray....yum. Mimi had quite a few cosmos and Debbie had a healthy number of Appletinnis. They were highly entertaining. I have great pics soon to come.


Today at the show they had a contest to see who could get the most free samples. I think Gina won, but she also made up the rules...typical =>. I was working most of the day and didn't get around to see all of the booths, but here's where I need help....all of the companies I'm repping for keep telling me to come by when the show's over and take anything I want. Let's take a sec and think about that. Anything I want, umm ya, anything I want. These people don't know me yet, because I would clean them out of house and home if I took anything I wanted.


I can't wait!
Tonight we all went to the Vogue knitting party. We met every knitting celebrity you can think of, well almost. We met: Debbie Bliss, Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton, Louisa Harding, Jane Ellison, Kat Boardi, Maggi Jackson, Nicky Epstein, Claudia, Maie, Eunny Jang, Karin Strom, and probably more that I can't think of right now. Many pictures soon to come.

I have a gut feeling that something bad is about to happen. Around all of these celebrities, my dear friend Mimi did the most unglamorous thing. I'll let you all use your imaginations.

By the way, I finished my Farmhouse Cotton Blossom Sweater. I love it and wore it today to the show.

Looks so nasty in those khakis

I've been knitting my little heart out and yet I don't think I'll finish my Farmhouse sweater tonight. I'm very close. All of the pieces are done, I just have to knit some trim, weave in ends, and seam it. I still don't have time though, o well. Maybe I'll finish it tomorrow night. Well I'm not really in a writing mood and heroes is on, but I wanted to put up a blog. Here are some pictures of my trip up to Mt Rogers.

A kiss on my pack for good luck!

View from the tallest mountain in Virginia, pretty good eh?

High mountain pasture where wild horses can be found


I love my tent!Ok, so I do get a little bored hiking by myself.



The wonderful hail that I hiked in. It was actually kind of cool.


Here are the boys I met from tech when I was up on the mountain.
O ya, I'm a badass.
Not a great pic, but it was so beautiful there. In fact, I stopped right there and cooked eggs for lunch. And may I say dehydrated eggs have a bum rap, they were delicious.
And lastly, here's a totally different hike. It's my sister, Kate, and Annie hiking up to the Cascades.
I LOVE HEROES!

I'm in love, I'm in love and I don't care who knows it

I'm in love with the summer interweave knits! I like almost all of the patterns, but there are a few that I adore! I love the summertime tunic. I like how simple it is. I've been working so hard to advance my knitting skills that I really like the idea of an easy knit that I can enjoy, but it's still chic.
Next is my favorite pattern writer Norah Gaughan. I don't think I've ever seen a pattern of hers that I didn't like. I love the cut on the sweater, I love bell sleeves and of course seed stitch. I can't wait to knit it.
One of the more difficult patterns in the issue the syncopated caps are beautiful. Ooh, fair isle how I love you so.
And of course the motorcycle gloves are one of my favorites. I mean come on combining motorcycling and knitting, shear genius. I am totally going to knit these.
I'm also in love with O-wool. It's produced by Vermont Organic Fiber Co. Every yarn they make is organic, which I of course love. The pic below is of Balance an organic wool/ cotton blend. I see a balance fair isle sweater in my future.

Lastly, I heard that my favorite musical, Spring Awakening, was nominated for 11 Tony's! It's so good- run to Broadway and beg for tickets. It's definately a must- see musical.

They call me Baby Field Greens

Recently I have fallen victim to the dark side. This is my cry for help! I have enrolled in the Knitting Mafia of Blacksburg. I'd say we have about 7 members right now. We have taken hokie colored yarn and using our knowledge of guerilla war tactics, hidden skeins all over Blacksburg! Ha, ha, ha! Ok, so we're not very vicious, but you feel pretty naughty doing it, which is why it's o so fun. We should all come up with knitting gang names...what's yours?
Mine is Baby Field Greens, it's really my motorcycle gang name though. I belong to a motorcycle gang, umm ok so it's really just my family and we call it a gang, but we look seriously badass in our matching tees and chaps. The pic above is of the rest of the gang, there names from left to right are : Black Mamba, Seitan's Angel, and Scampy. Annie, the dog, does not have a name or tee yet, because she refuses to get in the side car. Black Mamba has suggested sedation to get her in the sidecar, I'm not sure that's a great idea. I think it would still be hard to get her in, afterall she does weigh 150 pounds. I bet we could get Purl in, what do you think Gina?
In other news, I have been puppy sitting purl. It was loads of fun. I took her to lacrosse, we went to the park where we both met boys (thank you Purl), and we stayed up late and drooled while we watched Bear climb mountains. Well, I was drooling at Bear and she was drooling at the fudgesicle I was eating, but it was a deep bonding experience nonetheless.
I have been good though and I am projecting to finish my Farmhouse sweater this weekend. I can't wait to finish it! By the way, I saw on IMDB that the completion date for the Friday Night Knitting Club movie is in June 2008. Does that mean that they are definitely going to make it, anyone know?

Autographs anyone?

That's right. I was in the New York Times. Ok, so maybe my name isn't in the paper and maybe I was out shined by the fabulous Gina,Mimi, and Lawre but the side of my head looks damn good! My knitting prowess is in fine form too.
The square I'm knitting in the photo is an intarsia masterpiece. It's a Canadian maple leaf for my French professor Mme. Couture- Nowak. I'm currently working on a square with a lacrosse stick and ball for Kevin Granata, a fellow lacrosse coach. Hopefully, I can get started in the next couple of days on a square for Stack who I marched with in the Marching Virginians. I'm thinking of doing a band hat with a plume.
If your one of the two knitters left on the planet who have not heard about Hokie Healing, here's the deal: squares must be 8 inches by 8 inches (so it's a good idea to make them a bit smaller and block them out to size), they must be maroon, orange, white, or black (absolutely any shade of orange and maroon, that's right any shade!), any stitch can be used so go wild or not whatever you want, send them to Mosaic by the end of May. So many people are worried about the shade of color, but what they don't realize is that the beauty in these blankets (at least to me) is that they are all a bit different. The idea is that people are uniting from all over the US to make a sort of memorial to those we lost, so be unique and do something different. Thanks to everyone for helping!
Sorry that I've been MIA for so long, just trying to get myself together and regroup. Those of you that don't know I'm starting a new job in a couple weeks. I have thrown my Biology degree out the window (well maybe I'm just locking it in the closet for a rainy day) and am going to venture in to the all too enticing world of yarn. Ha ha ha. I'm a yarn rep! I've spent the last couple of weeks feverishly knitting samples. I've already discovered that it doesn't really matter what your work is or how awesome it is, you still want to be doing something else. For know I'm spending a lot of time knitting samples and longingly staring at a lace shawl, 2 new pairs of socks, qiviut scarf, and so many other projects that I should not be doing now! I love the yarn and projects that I'm repping for I just have knitting ADD, ahh don't we all....focus, Loren, focus

I'm fine

I'm sure you've all heard about the shooting on the Virginia Tech campus. I'm fine. My senioritis finally paid off. The beginning of the semester I was planning on taking a class in Norris, but it seemed like too much work for a pointless class so I dropped it. I also wasn't on campus today either, so I'm fine. I'm going to sit in my apartment and knit.....

Home, home on the Range

Our starting point for the hike was the Heart of Appalachia Information Center. We needed directions there and we were on the phone with our mom trying to get there. She couldn't find it on Google or Mapquest and we got a bit frustrated with her. We like, come on it's an information center...Did you search for an information center? Likewise she was frustrated with us. We finally found it and when we got there it was all too clear. I'm shocked that this bustling info center, or should I say a shack with a couple brochures, was not on Google. Sorry Mom!
This was by far the hardest hike that I have ever done. You would hike this massive, steep hill (mind you with about 35 pounds strapped to your back) and you'd feel great that you made it up. Then you'd walk 5 steps and descend down a massive, steep hill. Repeat this process ten or so times a day and that's Pine Mountain Trail! I got to the point that the uphills weren't that bad, but the down hills felt like my toenails were being torn off my feet. My sister just kept saying where's the flat part. (She used to nice flat Delaware) I kept telling here that it's called Pine Mountain Trail for a reason. It wasn't well marked either which was really frustrating.
We did have a great time though! Despite the difficulty of the trail there was lots of frolicking and singing on the trail. My favorite was story of the trip happened on the first day. We sat to eat a delicious lunch of cheese sandwiches... ooh ahh how exciting...when I noticed that my sister had brilliantly packed 8 slices of bread for 4 lunches for 2 girls. She forgot that a sandwich takes 2 slices of bread...I guess. We were two days short on lunch. Fear not, we most definitely did not starve. On the contrary, we had loads of food. Weeks before we left I started dehydrating like a champ. We packed ingredients for french toast, southwestern omelets, hot cereal, spaghetti with italian biscuits, minestrone soup, mashed potatoes, hash browns, lentil-bulgur chili, and loads of snacks (including of course chocolate, dried pineapple and the obligatory Cliff bars). In fact, it's entirely possible that we gained weight, well maybe not.


The first night in the tent, it was windy and there was an animal crawling around our tent. Now, bears don't scare me when I'm hiking, but when you are in a tent and can't see what's around you that's a different story. We found out the next day that there was a dog around the campsite, at night it sounded a lot bigger! To lighten the mood I got out my Ocarina that I bought in Alaska. It's basically a small clay flute. I played Home, home on the range, somewhere over the rainbow, and jingle bells while Kate sang along (I'm surprised her singing didn't scare off that dog roaming around). By the way, sing to yourselves home, home on the range and see if you can pick out what's wrong about this song, the biologists in Kate and I couldn't help but notice.
The worst thing that happened was forgetting my knitting! Ugh, I can't believe I forgot it! Also, Kate got blisters the size of a silver dollar piece on her heel. It was really gross! We made it off the mountain though and had fun doing it, which felt great!

Happy Friday the 13th!

Back to Blogland!

My apologies for not blogging sooner. I have been waiting for my sister to e-mail me pics from our trip, which she has yet to do. However, I felt an obligation (and recieved a few death threats => ) to continue blogging, so I'm back! Before Kate and I left for our big trip, we went to the Cascades. I'm that orange dot next to the massive waterfall! It was gorgeous and the most instantly gratifying hike that I've ever been on. I had to walk across the stream for this photo op and I'm not sure my feet have ever been so cold. I can't believe the water was still moving. Then, of course, I fell coming back across and got wet from head to toe. I am such a klutz, it's amazing my fingers are coordinated enough to do garter stitch.

On another topic...Happy Easter! I couldn't get back home, which my family was not too happy about. Since I wasn't home, I made alternate plans on Sunday. I rented the third season of Six Feet Under, made a pizza and a brownie sundae, and that is all I did all day. It was wonderful!

I also knit all day. I've been working on the wrap sweater that was on the cover of interweave knits. I'm not sure about the sleeves, but I love wrap sweaters. The stitch is nice too, great texture. I'm using Farmhouse Cotton Blossom in Dusty Rose, which I adore. I normally hate cotton, I don't like how flat the color looks when it's dyed. The Farmhouse is a cotton, nylon blend and the nylon gives the yarn a sheen that I love. I'll put pictures up soon!